Update – Sunday 14 February 2021
COVID-19 Local Government Response Unit main page
Here’s today’s update
Today the Prime Minister announced that Auckland will shift to Alert Level Three for 72 hours from 11.59pm on Sunday 14 February 2021. The rest of the country will shift to Alert Level Two.
This will be reviewed every 24 hours.
We are aware that the boundary area around Auckland will be a potential issue of concern to some councils and communities. We are checking in with the All-of-Government team on any upcoming guidance as it develops and will provide you with an update on this in due course.
The Response Unit remains on hand to support you. You can send enquiries to your usual Taituarā, LGNZ, DIA contacts or this inbox: LGCGcovid19response@dia.govt.nz
Key messages to share with your communities
As leaders in our communities, your actions matter and play a crucial role in keeping New Zealanders safe. The below sets out key messages to share with your communities during this time.
The Response Unit has previously provided guidance on council services and operation during Alert Levels. The most recent version of this guidance is attached to this emailand can be found on the COVID-19 Local Government Response Unit webpage: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Local-Government-COVID-19-Response. We note that this is an iterative document which may be further updated as the situation develops.
The Epidemic Notice remains in force
On 23 December 2020, the Prime Minister renewed the Epidemic Notice, extending the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 (the Principal Notice) for a further three months.
As we have noted in previous updates to you, a number of amendments relevant to local government remain in force while the Principal Notice is in force.
Provisions relevant to local government that are tied to the Epidemic Notice
The following provisions will remain in place until the Principal Notice expires or is revoked:
the amendments to enable council meetings via audio or visual link to meet quorum requirements regardless of Council Standing Orders;
the provisions enabling council meetings to be open to the public through online access and to post meeting agendas, reports and minutes on council websites rather than physical locations;
new members of Council can continue to make their statutory declaration (oath of office) via audio or audio-visual link;
rates rebate applicants can complete the statutory declaration requirement via audio or visual link; and
the Order-in-Council mechanism for making further changes to by-election timing and provisions enabling local authority chief executives to delay the commencement of by-election timeframes.
Provisions relevant to local government not tied to the Epidemic Notice
The provisions providing extensions for bylaws that would otherwise be revoked by section 160A of the Local Government Act 2002 to continue in force until 30 June 2021 – remains in force until 1 July 2021.
Keeping communities safe
Following the Four Golden Rules:
Wash your hands
Scan QR codes
Turn on Bluetooth tracing on the NZ COVID Tracer app
Stay home if you’re feeling unwell and get advice about a COVID-19 test.
Getting tested
If you were at the locations of interest at the times stated, you need to get a test. Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 to arrange a test.
Have your NHI number handy to help speed the process and our frontline staff.
Our Kete Hauora is the easy way to find your NHI and have all your information on hand.
If you were not at a location of interest at the stated times and you have no symptoms you do not need to be tested.
If you have symptoms but have not been to a location of interest stay home and call Healthline for advice.
Keeping track of where you have been
To stop any future spread of COVID-19, we all need to do the 3 Ws:
- Where we have been
- When we were there
- Who we met
Using the NZ COVID Tracer app with Bluetooth turned on is one way to do this
The NZ COVID Tracer booklet is another way and they are FREE and available in multiple languages
For quick and easy online ordering of Tracer booklets go to: https://portal.bluestar.co.nz/WebForm/DPMC_PUB?form=Unite%20Against
South Auckland COVID-19 case update
3 new cases reported today in the same Auckland community – 3 family members from the same South Auckland household, including a father, mother and daughter.
The family is currently self-isolating at home but will be moving to the Jet Park Hotel MIQ facility.
These cases are still under investigation with work urgently being undertaken to determine their source. Whole genome sequencing is being rapidly carried out to determine the variant of these cases. Case interviews and contact tracing is ongoing.
Further information will be provided once it becomes available.
The mother works at an airport laundry and catering facility in Mangere and undergoes regular COVID-19 tests as part of her job and was last at work on 5 February.
The father is self-employed with public health currently undertaking case interviews around his movements and contacts, to identify anyone who needs to isolate and be tested.
The daughter attends Papatoetoe High School and last attended on Wednesday 10 February.
Papatoetoe High School will be closed Monday and Tuesday, 15-16 February. All close contacts, including teachers and classmates will be self-isolating until 24 February and will need two negative test results.
Staff, parents and caregivers are receiving informationdirectly from the school today including instructions on what they should do if they are close or casual contacts.
Contact tracing is ongoing. Locations visited by the family include:
Pak’nSave Manukau on Friday 12 February between 3:45pm – 5pm
Tourist locations in and around New Plymouth between 6 February and 8 February; further detail of locations visited in New Plymouth is forthcoming.
The locations related to the current cases are under review. To get the most up to date information on these locations of interest, please visit: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-health-advice-public/contact-tracing-covid-19/covid-19-contact-tracing-locations-interest
Testing locations in South Auckland
Testing locations at Northcote, Balmoral, Henderson, Ōtara and Wiri have extended their hours today.
A testing site will be opened at the Papatoetoe High School.
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service has a full list of community testing centres throughout the region here https://www.arphs.health.nz/public-health-topics/covid-19/where-to-get-tested/
The most up to date information on COVID-19 testing locations can be found here https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/
Other useful Resources
Our guidance on council services and operations across the COVID-19 Alert Levels on the COVID-19 Response Unit webpage.
NZ COVID Tracer booklet - hard copy contact tracing booklets for people that cannot, or choose not to, download and use the NZ COVID Tracer App can be ordered from: https://order.hpa.org.nz/collections/covid-19/products/covid-19-booklet
Google drive hosting key creative assets for agencies to use and share across their channels as appropriate
Ministry of Transport’s guidance for Transport and Travel by Alert Level
MfE’s guidance for councils operating virtual hearings under the RMA
MfE’s face mask disposal messages
You may sign up to the daily All of Government email newsletter
You may find posters to support key messages
Foreign nationals in need of assistance can check their eligibility and apply online
Connected.govt.nz has been launched by MDS to assist workers, employers and job seekers navigate all of the available COVID recovery programmes and assistance. The website is supported by a free phone line, 0800 264 737 and MSD have 35 physical Connected locations around the country.
